Чума
Part IV
Butitalonecanwipeawaythesufferinganddeathofchildren,italonemakesthemnecessarybecauseitisimpossibletounderstandsuchthings,sowehavenoalternativeexcepttodesirethem.ThisisthehardlessonthatIwantedtosharewithyou.Thisisthefaith—cruelintheeyesofman,decisiveintheeyesofGod—whichwemusttrytoreach.Wemusttrytomakeourselvesequaltothisawfulimage.Onthispeak,everythingwillbeconfoundedandmadeequal,andthetruthwillbreakforthfromapparentinjustice.Thisiswhy,inmanychurchesintheSouthofFrance,plaguevictimshavesleptforcenturiesbeneaththestonesinthechoirandpriestsspeakabovetheirtombs;thespiritthattheyproclaimrisesoutoftheseheapsofasheseventhoughchildrenareamongthosewhogotomakethem."
WhenRieuxleftthechurch,asharpwindpouredthroughthehalf-opendoorandstruckthecongregationfullintheface.Itbroughtasmellofrainintothechurch,ascentofdamppavementswhichwarnedthemofhowthetownwouldlookevenbeforetheywentout.WalkinginfrontofDrRieux,anoldpriestandayoungdeaconwhowereleavingatthesametimehaddifficultyinkeepingholdoftheirheadgear.Nonetheless,theoldermanwentonspeakingaboutthesermon.HepaidtributetoPaneloux’seloquence,butwasworriedabouttheaudacityofthepriest’sideas.HeconsideredthatthissermonbetrayedmoreuneasinessthanstrengthandatPaneloux’sageapriestdidnothavetherighttobeuneasy.
